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Deep thoughts…

January 13, 2024 by Patty Leave a Comment

Not thinking about, or reacting to, most things in current times is an impossibility. At least for me and, of course, I think about this constantly.

Getting inside my head in search of the Off Switch is an exercise of futility, especially at three in the morning. It seems that each thought that I’ve done my best to compartmentalize allows me the same few hours of sleep before they start their nightly campaign to waken me. There’s no sense of order involved, not one predominant issue in the anxiety parade of nagging thoughts. They all come barrel-assing in at once.

We retire at night in anticipation of a restful few hours, not an easy task after watching the news, a movie or even reading a book. Sometimes, we carry the mental weight of work or personal matters with us to bed and any unpleasantries involved become unwelcome alarms in our sleep patterns. Each thought is part of us; conscious thoughts are controlled and unconscious ones may independently evaluate danger. This pretty much rules my sleep patterns, with a brain that’s focused on survival combined with a daily thought process which works endlessly to move past all that’s unpleasant.

My feeling is that thoughts are the consequence of what is and what has happened to us as well as the type of person we are. Our individual response to a given situation brings thoughts that are just some manifestation of our psyche and any specific situation which has taken place. Deep thoughts for some but not all. They’re just mine and I’m sticking to them.

**From Writer’s Workshop..**
.Share something that made you think this week.

Filed Under: Writing Prompts Tagged With: sleep, thoughts

Boxed memories…

January 8, 2024 by Patty Leave a Comment

Another new year and out with the old, in with the new, as is often said. Yes, it’s been one of those weeks in my life. Unfortunately, this phrase doesn’t apply to our attic where a stockpile of all things that once were has taken on a life of its own. I’ve written about this before, citing boxes of photographs, baby clothes, household items and more, each item a reminder of yesterdays and loved ones. Someone reminded me that the contents of these boxes really don’t hold memories and I was advised that all such thoughts are tucked away safely in our minds.

I disagree. Think about it.

In fact, after again watching a movie called “November Christmas”, one particular scene made my heart smile when a still grieving mother opened a box with toys, once belonging to her son who tragically passed away years earlier. She reached into each box and shared them with a visiting little boy who smiled with delight as he played with each item. That once sad collection of memories sprang back to life with a chance to bring another child joy.

Sorting through years of papers from my children, and grandchildren, I’m quickly greeted with sparks of precious memories inside each box. Bittersweet reminders of how quickly time has flown by and, for a brief moment or two, I’m taken back to places and times I’d almost forgotten. Photographs of tiny faces peering out from baby blankets that I once held in my arms; now they’ve all grown and insist that they drive when we go somewhere. Collections of retro music or scents from boxes of Christmas decorations, each twinkle of nostalgia tucked inside lures us back to cherished and much simpler times.

At times, when rummaging through boxes, a toy will be stuffed rather uncomfortably inside and I recall how my children campaigned for that item, only to play with it for a week, Still, the thoughts that flow back are happy, even if life was difficult at that time, for whatever reasons, but the easier times helped to bring a balance overall.

We continue to grow older, time continues to move even faster. The best part about this attic conglomeration of “stuff” is the ability to pass it on and share, so that others can look back and enjoy a trip back in time, reflecting on the beautiful pieces of life as we once knew it. At least I hope that’s the case, where I’m concerned. Forget any monetary valuation on things deemed collectible, it’s impossible to put a price tag on most, especially all of those boxed memories.